Cult Nails

Cult Nails Scandalous Nail Lacquer ($10.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “pastel coral” with a jelly finish, which is buildable in color. It’s an orange-coral with a just-muted quality to the overall color. The bottle looks a bit brighter than how it appears on the nail. There’s an inkling of pink in the color, but it’s hard to see. I think against skin tones with pink undertones, it will be more apparent, but paired with my warm undertones, it pulls more orange. I don’t have any similar shades with a jelly finish, which is such a distinctive finish that similar hues don’t look the same because of that difference alone. Essie Tart Deco is a little paler, creamier. Barielle Blossom is much lighter.

There’s visible nail line after two coats (which is what I have on in the swatches), and three coats is nearly opaque–a hint of nail line comes through at certain angles. According to the brand, it’s “almost opaque” at two to three coats, which seems to be what I experienced. I think Maria does an excellent job at setting expectations with her shades. This dried a lot quicker than most polishes for me; I just applied it while editing the photos to ensure color accuracy, and it was mostly dry on its own after a couple of minutes–no top coat or anything–you’ll pick up fingerprints, so it wasn’t 100% dry, but enough to maneuver. The formula is of the typical thickness for a jelly; it had that slightly gel-like consistency. Cult Nails’ formulas tend to wear a full week on me with no chipping and very minor tip wear.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

The formula is excellent–it wears really well without bubbling, chipping, or streaking. The lacquer applies evenly and flows well on the nail, and after a week, there is minimal tip wear. One of the best things about the brand is that you’re supporting an independent company and truly making someone’s dream come true–and when you have a great back story with a quality product? It doesn’t get any better.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

Cult Nails Hypnotic Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

Cult Nails Hypnotic Collection is now available, and Temptalia readers can take $5 off $40+ orders with code TEMPTALIA, good through 8/31. There are four shades in the fall collection, and each bottle contains 0.5 fl. oz. and costs $10. The shades include: Awakening (dusty teal), Enigmatic (purple base with a brown hue), Hypnotize Me (sheer green jelly with glitter), and In a Trance (olive green to muted gold).

Awakening is a dark, smoked teal-blue with a cream finish. I needed three coats for opaque color, because the consistency is on the thinner side. It has a dustier appearance (so it looks more muted, less intense) compared to MAC Deep Sea and Rescue Beauty Lounge Teal. It’s like a teal version of MAC Blue India.

Enigmatic is a plum purple with hints of brown and red flecked with silver and plum shimmer. I needed two coats for opaque color. The brown hues of the shade disappear under brighter light. China Glaze Urban Night is a bit lighter and doesn’t have any shimmer.

Hypnotize Me is a very barely green-tinted base with iridescent blue and green glitter. It’s supposed to be sheer, and if you want a more cohesive result, it’s probably best as a layering shade. The texture is extremely thick–it’s very much like jelly or jam or even like hair gel (thick of the type in a tub). Because of the overall thickness of the formula, you have to be careful applying the color. I only did two coats, because I didn’t want to go too thick.

In a Trance is a olive green with tarnished gold shimmer. It was opaque in two coats, and the formula was just right–not too thick or too thin. To me, this was the standout shade of the four, particularly because of how easy it was to apply. The base color is similar to Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War. It’s not quite as bright or as green as China Glaze Peace on Earth.

In a Trance had the best formula, while Awakening was a little sheer (needed three coats) and Hypnotize Me is extremely thick (not gloppy necessarily, but it truly has the texture of a gel). I like the concept of Hypnotize Me but would appreciate a thinner consistency overall. In the past, I’ve tested out several shades from Cult Nails, and the wear is great–a good week with minor tip wear (with a proper base/top coat).

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

Cult Nails Hypnotic Collection for Fall 2011

Founder, Maria Morisson, on the inspiration behind the collection, “I looked for no specific inspiration for this collection. Instead, I simply allowed the colors to pull me in… to hypnotize me. With each release, I try to introduce several unique color choices while offering shades that range from basic to fantastic. Each of the colors in this collection entranced me in their own way while I perfected what I wanted to bring you.”

In a Trance Reminiscent of an aged skeleton key, this color shifts from olive green to muted gold with an enchanting shimmer

Enigmatic Indoors, the purple base takes on a brown hue and lets the silver shimmer steal the show; in sunlight, it draws flashes of red, blue, pink and purple sparkle

Awakening Muted or dusty teal that has a rich crème finish

Hypnotize Me Sheer green jelly with vibrant blue and green glitter; can also be layered for a shade, finish, and effect that is quite hypnotic all on its own.

Cult Nails lacquers are available for sale online at www.cultnails.com. Each 0.5 fl. oz. bottle sells for $10 USD. During the pre-sale event, the Hypnotic Collection will be sold only as a set for $30 USD, a savings of 25% off the regular price. Cult Nails™ lacquers are DBP, Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Camphor free and are not tested on animals.

Cult Nails Let Me Fly Nail Laquer ($10.00 for 0.5 fl. oz.) is described as a “dusty turquoise shimmer with gorgeous silver shimmer.” It’s a dusty teal-blue with silver shimmer that’s opaque in two coats. The formula was really nice on this one; not too thick or thin with even flow and great coverage. I’ve had good luck with wear on Cult Nails’ line so far (I’ve tested three or four shades in full)–getting about a week’s worth of wear without chips.

The Glossover

It's a really stellar formula with opaque color in two coats. If you like the idea of a blue or teal for summer but don't find some of the brightness of those summery shades to your taste, this muted version might work.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!